Nneka Ogwumike told reporters both sides are feeling movement after a third straight day of WNBA and WNBPA collective bargaining agreement negotiations on Wednesday.
Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike shared a positive update with reporters outside of a Midtown Manhattan hotel about the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association.
"We're sticking to the process," Ogwumike told reporters. "That's something we've always been true to from the very beginning."
Wednesday's session picked back up at 2 p.m. EST following a 12-hour overnight meeting that did not wrap until roughly 5:20 a.m. Discussions continued into early Thursday morning before breaking off around 1:30 a.m., according to Front Office Sports.
Ogwumike said the back-and-forth has brought clarity to what the union is fighting for.
"With each hour and each proposal that goes across the table, it solidifies more and more amongst ourselves, amongst communication with other players, what it is that we're fighting for," she said.
She wants to see the league match that energy at the table.
"We need to see a more robust demonstration of that as we continue on in these negotiations," Ogwumike said.
Fellow executive committee member Brianna Turner also spoke with reporters, framing the stakes of the negotiations.
"It's obviously a long process, and we're fighting hard," Turner said. "It's an exciting process, fighting for the past, present, and future of the WNBA."
So far, a total of eight proposals have been shared between both sides. Revenue sharing and player housing have been the key points of conversation over roughly 17 months of negotiations. A source familiar with the talks told Front Office Sports the league's latest offer puts the salary cap at $6.2 million with net revenue sharing set at roughly 70%.
The league told players back in February that a deal needed to be in place by March 10 or the season could face delays. That date came and went on Tuesday without an agreement. Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti, who joined the bargaining table Wednesday as a new addition for the league side, acknowledged the pressure.
"Time is of the essence to get this deal done," Rizzotti said. "And that's what we're working for."
The WNBA's 30th season is scheduled to open May 8, with training camp now less than six weeks out. Once a verbal agreement is reached, it must be ratified by the board of governors and a majority of voting players before the league can proceed with the expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. The league also needs to hold the collegiate draft and free agency.